South Australian Political Landscape Shifts with Surprise Resignations
In a dramatic turn of events, South Australia’s political scene was shaken on Thursday with the unexpected resignations of Deputy Premier Susan Close and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan. This development comes just hours after a pollster predicted a sweeping victory for the Labor Party in the upcoming state election, suggesting that the Liberal Party could lose all its seats in Adelaide.
Poll Predictions Signal Labor Dominance
Kos Samaras, a former Labor strategist and current pollster with the RedBridge Group, shared insights on ABC Radio Adelaide, indicating a significant shift in public sentiment against conservative politics. His qualitative research suggested that urban voters are increasingly rejecting the Liberal Party, forecasting a potential wipeout in the capital during the next election.
Samaras stated, “We will not be surprised come election night in South Australia… they lose every bit of furniture they have left in the capital.” This stark prediction aligns with the views of several political experts from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University, who unanimously expect a Labor victory in 2026, with the only uncertainty being the extent of their parliamentary gains.
A Sudden Political Bombshell
The announcement of Close and Mullighan’s resignations caught many off guard, including Premier Peter Malinauskas, who expressed his shock, saying, “You could have knocked me over with a feather.” The loss of these two senior ministers, who collectively bring 22 years of frontbench experience, poses a significant challenge for the Labor government as it heads into an election year.
Malinauskas attempted to persuade both ministers to reconsider their decisions, but his efforts were in vain. The political landscape now raises questions about the implications of this sudden leadership change on Labor’s electoral prospects.
Opposition’s Response and Expert Opinions
In response to the resignations, Deputy Liberal leader Josh Teague framed the situation as a “crisis at the top levels of government.” However, political analysts remain skeptical about whether this upheaval will alter the anticipated outcome of the election. Emeritus Professor Clem Macintyre described the resignations as a “slight hiccup,” while Associate Lecturer Josh Sunman noted that it does not change the fundamental dynamics of the political landscape. Dr. Rob Manwaring even suggested that the situation might inadvertently provide Labor with an opportunity to refocus for a second term.
The Context of Labor’s Governance
The backdrop of this political drama is the Malinauskas government’s mixed record over the past three years. Despite facing criticism for failing to deliver on key promises, such as establishing a new hydrogen industry and addressing the ambulance ramping crisis, Labor’s political standing appears to have strengthened. A recent YouGov poll indicated that Labor could secure a staggering 67% of the two-party preferred vote, leaving the Liberal Party with a mere two seats in parliament.
This raises a critical question: if the opposition has been unable to capitalize on significant policy failures, what chance do they have to leverage a cabinet reshuffle to their advantage?
A Less Experienced Cabinet
The resignations have resulted in a reshuffled cabinet that now features several first-year ministers, including Lucy Hood, Rhiannon Pearce, and Emily Bourke, in key portfolios. This shift centralizes power around Malinauskas, but it also introduces risks associated with inexperience. Sunman cautioned that new ministers may face challenges that could make them targets for opposition attacks.
Hood, who has taken over Close’s former portfolio of Environment and Water, is now at the forefront of managing the state’s algal bloom crisis. This issue has the potential to create significant public dissatisfaction, especially if it disrupts residents’ summer holidays. A senior Labor source acknowledged the potential political ramifications, stating, “If people’s summer holidays aren’t what they’re used to, that could create some statewide pressure on us that could be very problematic.”
The Countdown to Election Day
As the clock ticks down to the March 21 election, the opposition has a mere six months to exploit the political landscape, including the challenges posed by a less experienced Labor cabinet and the ongoing environmental issues. The question remains whether the Liberal Party can effectively mobilize its resources to make a significant impact in the upcoming election.
Political dynamics can shift rapidly, as evidenced by the recent resignations. However, with the current trajectory favoring Labor, the stakes are high for both parties as they prepare for a pivotal electoral showdown.
Conclusion
The unexpected resignations of key Labor ministers have introduced a new layer of complexity to South Australia’s political landscape. While the Labor Party appears to be on a strong footing heading into the election, the implications of a reshuffled cabinet and ongoing policy challenges could influence voter sentiment. As the state approaches the election date, all eyes will be on how these developments unfold and whether the opposition can capitalize on the shifting tides of political fortune.
